Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsNo single review outlet publishes a settled “best of all time” order that covers both films and television, so there is no definitive ranking to hand you. What follows is a curated shortlist of ten video game adaptations, chosen to cover different formats, tones and audiences. The critic and audience scores are Rotten Tomatoes figures accessed on 8 October 2026, and they will move as new reviews arrive.
How this shortlist was built
Each pick was judged against five questions. A list built on different criteria would produce a different set of titles, so it helps to see them up front:
- Adaptation craft: does the screen version understand what made the game work, and does it translate that into film or television language?
- Critical response: how professional reviewers responded, measured by the Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes.
- Audience response: how general viewers responded, measured by the Popcornmeter. This is a separate measure and is never blended with the critic score here.
- Range of genre and tone: the list should not be ten variations on grim action drama.
- Accessibility: does the work succeed as a screen story for someone who has never picked up the controller?
Two eligibility rules matter when you read the scores. The Rotten Tomatoes movie guide only includes theatrical releases with at least 20 reviews, so many game-based films are simply not on its lists. The television figures come from the Rotten Tomatoes guide “Video Game TV Shows, Ranked by Tomatometer”, which carries a 2025 publication date, while the movie figures come from its movie guide. Both were read on 8 October 2026.
The ten at a glance
The table follows the shortlist order, which is editorial rather than a score ranking. Television rows give season-level figures, and the season is named in each row.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →#1 Best Overall
- The Help (Three-Disc Combo: Blu-ray/DVD + Digital Copy)
| Title | Format | Adaptation route | Critics (Tomatometer) | Audience (Popcornmeter) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arcane (season one) | Animated series | Original animated drama set in the League of Legends world | 100% | 93% |
| The Last of Us (season one) | Live-action series | Close retelling of the game’s central story, with expanded character relationships | 96% | 86% |
| Fallout (season one) | Live-action series | New story inside the game world | 93% | 95% |
| Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (season one) | Anime series | New story in the established Cyberpunk world | 100% | 95% |
| Castlevania (season two) | Animated series | Adaptation of Konami’s games; the original series mainly draws on Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse | 100% | 91% |
| Werewolves Within (2021) | Film | Contained small-town horror comedy set during a snowstorm | 86% | 60% |
| Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024) | Film | Franchise family adventure | 86% | 94% |
| Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019) | Live-action and animation hybrid film | Mystery set in a world populated by Pokémon | 68% | 79% |
| Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) | Film | Broad family adventure | 64% | 89% |
| The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) | Animated film | Animated spectacle built on recognizable characters and settings | 58% | 93% |
Three ways a game becomes a screen story
Game adaptations generally take one of three routes, and knowing which one a title uses tells you what kind of viewing experience to expect.
Close retelling
A close retelling follows the spine of a single game. The Last of Us is the clearest case on this list, and its adaptation choices extend the relationships between characters rather than replacing them. Castlevania sits in a similar lineage, although GameSpot notes that its original series mainly adapts Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse rather than the whole Konami catalogue.
Expansion of the source
Expansion keeps the game’s world and themes while building out material the game never showed on screen. Arcane takes place in the League of Legends setting but tells its own sibling drama, and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners stays within the established Cyberpunk world while telling a separate story.
New story in an established world
Here the adaptation borrows a setting, tone and set of details, then tells a fresh story. Fallout is the strongest example. GameSpot explains that it takes this original-story approach, and BFI’s adaptation analysis praises the show’s recreation of details from the game world.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Rank #2
- Video Game Box: Case internal size is 12" x 6.7" x 5.3". This video game storage case is designed to fit most video games and Blu-ray cases, please measure your item before purchase to ensure a correct fit.
- Large Capacity: Each box can storage 20 PCS of Steel Book Boxes. Easy to storage and organize your collections.
- Store Games with The Titles Showing: 5.3 inches tall. You can see video games with titles upward, easier to find and pick your game collections.
- Strong Magnetic Closure: The steel book storage case has a concealed and sturdy magnetic closure that allows the flip-top storage box to be easily open and closed repeatedly.
- Sturdy and Quality: The game case holder has a thick, sturdy board construction with a water-resistant laminate. Cardboard but very rigid, tough. The storage box is sturdy enough to stack on each other.
The ten picks, one by one
1. Arcane
An animated fantasy and sibling drama set in the League of Legends world. Its critics’ consensus on Rotten Tomatoes praises the combination of 2D and 3D animation with emotional storytelling. It is the pick for viewers who want ambitious animation and character-led drama, and it works well for people who know nothing about League of Legends.
2. The Last of Us
The closest retelling on this list, and the one with the most reported public attention. Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus for season one describes it as “Retaining the most addictive aspects of its beloved source material while digging deeper into the story, The Last of Us is bingeworthy TV that ranks among the all-time greatest video game adaptations.”
AP reported in 2023, citing HBO and Nielsen, that the series premiere drew 4.7 million U.S. viewers and the season-one finale drew 8.2 million. Those are 2023 figures and should not be read as current audience totals. In the same reporting, co-creator Neil Druckmann, co-president of Naughty Dog and writer of the game, said: “No one could have anticipated this, this reaction and how positive it’s been and how broad it’s been in its reach.”
Michael Tucker, creator of Lessons from the Screenplay, told AP the series works for non-players because of its focus: “I think, because it’s focused on those character arcs and relationships, and how the story world puts pressure to force those forward, those things are really accessible and universal.”
Rank #3
- PROTECTIVE PVC MATERIAL: Thick, water-resistant PVC panels help shield your collection from everyday splashes. The zippered closure helps keep dust out, and the surface wipes clean easily
- LARGE CAPACITY: Each bag holds up to 70 DVDs or 90 Blu-rays in their original cases. Measures 21 x 6.5 x 16 inches, excluding handles. Capacity varies with case size and thickness
- FIND TITLES AT A GLANCE: Clear front and back panels let you read visible case spines without opening the bag. Keep your movies and games organized so you can find the title you want without searching through loose stacks
- REINFORCED CARRY HANDLES: Wide straps and reinforced stitching help support your collection when carrying it between rooms or taking it to the car. Lift with both handles together for balanced carrying
- SIDE-ZIPPER ACCESS, FOLDABLE DESIGN: The side-opening zipper and dual zipper pulls provide convenient access to your collection. When empty, fold the bag flat for compact storage in a drawer or closet
3. Fallout
A post-apocalyptic series that tells a new story inside the game world rather than retelling a single game. It is a good choice for viewers who want the setting’s black humour and retro-future detail without needing the games’ plot. BFI’s analysis singles out its recreation of game-world details as a strength.
4. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
An anime set in the Cyberpunk world. It is the best fit on this list for viewers who want fast action and a stylised, mature science-fiction story in a fairly compact runtime. Rotten Tomatoes describes it as an anime adaptation of the established game world.
5. Castlevania
Gothic animated action adapted from Konami’s games. Season two carries the strongest critical figures in the table, but the series is best approached as a whole. Its original run draws mainly on Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse, so viewers familiar with other entries in the series will notice choices that differ from what they remember.
6. Werewolves Within
A contained horror comedy with a small-town ensemble and a snowstorm setup. It is a useful counterpoint to franchise-scale action, because it shows how much a tight, single-location premise can do. Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus says: “Werewolves Within is the rare horror comedy that offers equal helpings of either genre — and adds up to a whole lot of fun in the bargain.”
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #4
- In THE IMITATION GAME, Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Alan Turing, the genius British mathematician, logician, cryptologist and computer scientist who led the charge to crack the German Enigma Code that helped the Allies win WWII. Turing went on to assist with the development of computers at the University of Manchester after the war, but was prosecuted by the UK government in 1952 for homosexual a
7. Sonic the Hedgehog 3
A fast, family-oriented franchise adventure. Rotten Tomatoes calls it the best entry in the series to date. The film is a reliable choice for families, but its ranking should be read as a claim about the Sonic series, not about films in general.
8. Pokémon Detective Pikachu
A live-action and animation hybrid mystery that leans into the oddity of a world populated by Pokémon. Rotten Tomatoes notes its appeal to franchise fans. It is the most playful of the live-action entries here, and the mystery plot is less important than the world-building.
9. Sonic the Hedgehog
A broad family adventure that helped show that game-based films could draw theatre audiences. It is also a clear example of why the two scores should be read separately: its audience reception ran well ahead of its critical reception.
10. The Super Mario Bros. Movie
A colourful animated spectacle built around recognisable characters and settings. Its audience reception is strong, while the critics’ consensus on Rotten Tomatoes calls the plot thin. It belongs on this list as a franchise and audience-appeal pick, and it should not be recommended on critical grounds alone.
Best Value
- Sophisticated DVD Storage: Our shelves are a chic and stylish way to organize your DVDs. Made with a smooth, faux leather exterior, and a corrugated felt interior, our organizers compliment any home décor.
- Magnetic Flap: The front flap closure is secured by strong magnets. All you have to do is pull it down for easy access to all of your movie cases, blueray discs, VHS tapes, cassette tapes, and more!
- Interlocking Design: We've specially designed our containers to interlock with one another, allowing you to stack boxes. You can even mix and match with our CD storage trays to complete your set.
- Reinforced Handles: Our holders come with sturdy handles so you can easily pick-up, carry, and move your organizers to your desired location.
- Super Space Saver: Our DVD trays can accommodate up to 28 cases, while still being compact enough to easily fit inside of your cabinet, book-shelf, drawer, or even beside your desktop. Dimensions: 17.75” L x 6.25” W x 8.25” H.
Reading critic and audience scores separately
A critic score measures how professional reviewers responded to a work. An audience score measures how general viewers responded. The two often diverge, and that gap is itself useful information.
- A high audience score with a lower critic score usually signals a film that delivered what fans wanted but did not satisfy reviewers looking for craft or originality.
- A high critic score with a lower audience score can point to a demanding or unusual work that did not land with a broader crowd.
- Either way, date the figures. Scores shift as reviews are added and as the guides update their eligible titles.
Where to watch
Streaming rights differ by title, territory and date, and a title can move between services. Check your local listings before you plan a viewing. Older platform references in some guides are not a reliable indication of current availability.
Choosing by what you want
- Emotional drama: start with The Last of Us, then Arcane.
- Animation as the main draw: Arcane, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Castlevania.
- Family viewing: Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Sonic the Hedgehog, The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
- Horror and comedy: Werewolves Within.
- A new story in a familiar world: Fallout, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.
If you have never played any of the source games, begin with a series rather than a film. Series have more room to build characters and world rules, and that tends to make the adaptation work on its own terms.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
